St. Baldrick's Celebration shaves heads to raise money for childhood cancer research

Anne Stokes, special to the Press TribuneSmart Cookie team member Erin Bryers of Granite Bay, 13, says goodbye to her previously long, curly, red hair for charity at the St. Baldrick's Celebration at the Westfield Galleria mall. Bryers raised over $6,000 with her teammates for the Keaton Raphael Memorial and the St. Baldrick's Foundation to support cancer research.

Anne Stokes, special to the Press TribunePiper Finnerty of Sacramento, 8, who raised $4,600 for the Keaton Raphael Memorial and the St. Baldrick's Foundation to support cancer research, gets her hair cut by Supercuts stylist Jessica Wiedeman of Orangevale.

Anne Stokes, special to the Press TribuneErik Finnerty of Sacramento, shoots footage of his daughter Piper getting her head shaved for charity at the St. Baldrick's Celebration at the Westfield Galleria mall. Piper Finnerty, age 8, raised $4,600 for the Keaton Raphael Memorial and the St. Baldrick's Foundation to support cancer research.

Anne Stokes, special to the Press TribunePiper Finnerty of Sacramento, 8, raised $4,600 for the Keaton Raphael Memorial and the St. Baldrick's Foundation to support cancer research by having her head shaved at the St. Baldrick's Celebration at the Westfield Galleria Mall.

Anne Stokes, special to the Press TribunePiper Finnerty of Sacramento, 8, has her newly shaved head rubbed for good luck by friends and family after participating in the St. Baldrick's Celebration at the Westfield Galleria. Finnerty raised $4,600 for the Keaton Raphael Memorial and the St. Baldrick's Foundation to support cancer research.

Anne Stokes, special to the Press TribuneSabina Mahavai of Roseville, 12, gets her head shaved for charity by Supercuts stylist Jessica Wiedeman at the St. Baldrick's Celebration at the Westfield Galleria mall. Mahavai raised over $6,000 with her Smart Cookies team mates for the Keaton Raphael Memorial and the St. Baldrick's Foundation to support cancer research.

Anne Stokes, special to the Press TribuneStan and Jill Ichiho of Sacramento, who's daughter Katie, 16, received a cancer diagnosis in Feb.2012, were on hand to thank the Keaton Raphael Memorial and supporters who helped their family during their daughter's extensive treatments.

Anne Stokes, special to the Press TribuneSupercuts stylist Olga Howerton of Natomas donated nearly 20 inches of her hair to Locks of Love and helped to raise $25,440 with her teammates to the Keaton Raphael Memorial and the St. Baldrick's Foundation to support cancer research at the annual St. Baldrick's Celebration fundraiser at the Westfield Galleria mall.

Anne Stokes, special to the Press TribuneSupercuts stylist Olga Howerton of Natomas donated nearly 20 inches of her hair to Locks of Love and helped to raise $25,440 with her teammates to the Keaton Raphael Memorial and the St. Baldrick's Foundation to support cancer research at the annual St. Baldrick's Celebration fundraiser at the Westfield Galleria mall.

Anne Stokes, special to the Press TribuneSupercuts stylist Olga Howerton of Natomas donated nearly 20 inches of her hair to Locks of Love and helped to raise $25,440 with her teammates to the Keaton Raphael Memorial and the St. Baldrick's Foundation to support cancer research at the annual St. Baldrick's Celebration fundraiser at the Westfield Galleria mall.

Anne Stokes, special to the Press TribuneDonors and supporters came together at the Westfield Galleria mall in Roseville to raise money and awareness for cancer research and treatment at the Keaton Raphael Memorial and St. Baldrick's Foundation's annual St. Baldrick's Celebration.

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Hundreds of supporters shaved their heads in the name of cancer survivors at the Westfield Galleria on Saturday. The Keaton Raphael Memorial and the St. Baldrick's Foundation partnered together to host their annual St. Baldrick's Celebration fundraiser to raise awareness and money for cancer research and treatment.

"We truly believe that we are making an impact. A major portion of the funds that we raise towards research stays local and we're really proud of that. Last year we raised almost $900,000, so we're hoping to meet that or beat it," said Keaton Raphael Memorial executive director Teresa Hofhenke. "We sincerely appreciate all of our community partners that come out and support us. It makes a difference. Every single individual person makes a difference. And we're proud to be a part of that."

Eight year old Piper Finnerty of Sacramento shaved her head after seeing her uncle participate in last year's St. Baldrick's Celebration, raising $4,600 on her own in the process.

"It was all on her own volition, we never once tried to talk her into it or anything," said her father Erik Finnerty. "We said, 'gosh you're going to get teased.' And she said, well I'll just say, 'what did you raise for cancer?' We're very, very proud."

Stan and Jill Ichiho of Sacramento were on hand at the event to personally thank the Keaton Raphael Memorial for their support during their daughter Katie's leukemia treatments last year.

"As a parent, you want and need to be there for your child at every step of that process. But as you can imagine, this can take a toll on your finances quickly. Keaton Raphael not only provided our family with financial assistance to help with the additional expenses associated with living away from home for several weeks, but also with gifts for Katie and her brother," said Jill Ichiho.

"It is so inspiring to see so many people shave their heads in solidarity with the children who have lost their hair due to chemotherapy and radiation treatments. It's such a beautiful and selfless act of love and support," she added.

For more information on how you can help or participate in upcoming events (including additional St. Baldrick's Celebrations in downtown Sacramento and Davis next week), please visit the Keaton Raphael Memorial website at: http://www.childcancer.org/chapters/roseville